Squinch

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Squinch \Squinch\ (skw[i^]nch), n. [Corrupted fr. sconce.]
     (Arch.)
     A small arch thrown across the corner of a square room to
     support a superimposed mass, as where an octagonal spire or
     drum rests upon a square tower; -- called also {sconce}, and
     {sconcheon}.


     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  squinch
       n : a small arch built across the interior angle of two walls
           (usually to support a spire)
       v 1: crouch down
       2: draw back, as with fear or pain; "she flinched when they
          showed the slaughtering of the calf" [syn: {flinch}, {funk},
           {cringe}, {shrink}, {wince}, {recoil}, {quail}]
       3: partly close one's eyes; "The children squinted to frighten
          each other" [syn: {squint}, {cross one's eyes}]